Cast Iron Gate and Fence
c. 1936
Medium
pen and ink and gouache on paper
Dimensions
overall: 30.5 x 23 cm (12 x 9 1/16 in.)
Classification
Index of American Design
Department
CG-W
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Index of American Design
Accession Number
1943.8.11901
Art Historical Context
Created around 1936 by artist Al Curry, *Cast Iron Gate and Fence* is a meticulous rendering from the Index of American Design, a New Deal-era Federal Art Project (1935–1942). This pen-and-ink and gouache drawing on paper captures the intricate details of a classic American cast iron architectural element, measuring a compact 30.5 x 23 cm. Gouache, an opaque watercolor medium, allowed Curry to vividly replicate the metal's textured surfaces, ornamental motifs, and subtle patina, while fine pen lines added precision to the elaborate scrollwork and structural forms. The Index of American Design...
About the Artist
Al Curry
**Al Curry** (American, active c. 1935) was a skilled draftsman whose precise renderings captured the essence of American folk art and vernacular craftsmanship during the Great Depression era. Little is known about his early life or formal training, as biographical details remain sparsely documented. Curry gained prominence through his contributions to the Index of American Design, a Federal Art P...